Air volume control in water well systems



SePt- 21 1965 D. L. MORGAN ETAL 3,207,076

AIR VOLUME CONTROL IN WATER WELL SYSTEMS Filed May 1, 1963 e ll..

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Rober? L. Ratlff BY au ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,207,076 AIR VOLUME CONTROL IN WATER WELL SYSTEMS David L. Morgan, Shelton, and Robert L. Ratliff, Milford,

Conn., assignors to Robertshaw Controls Company,

Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 1, 1963, Ser. No. 277,225 Claims. (Cl. 103-6) This invention relates to domestic water supply systems and more particularly to independent systems in whilh an air cushion is maintained in a water storage tan In independent water systems, water from a well is pumped to a storage tank where it is stored under pressure for domestic use. To maintain the pressure on the stored water, a volume of air is conined above the water in the tank and serves as an expansible cushion. During operation of the system, the volume of air is varied in accordance with changes in the amount of water in the tank. In addition, the air is gradually absorbed by the water so that the tank must be intermittently drained and refurnished with air from the atmosphere. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide the storage tank with some means, such as an air volume control, for maintaining the desired quantity of air in the storage tank.

In certain water systems, the air volume control is used in conjunction with the pump operation by being actuated in accordance with a low pressure on the intake side of the pump. Thus the intake side of the pump must be below atmospheric pressure to establish the suction necessary to actuate the air volume control.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to actuate an air volume control in water well systems in accordance with a plurality of varied pressure conditions of the pump.

This invention has another object in that pressure on the intake side of pump may be either above or below atmospheric pressure for actuating the air volume control in a water well system.

Another object of this invention is to utilize a venturi for establishing suction to actuate the air volume control in a water well system.

A further object of this invention is to actuate an air volume control in response to suction from water llowing through a venturi.

It is a further object of this invention to control water flow to a venturi which actuates an air volume control.

The present invention is characterized in that a pump supplies well water to a storage tank which has an eX- terior air and water housing communicating therewith at a desired water level; an air volume control means communicates with such housing and is operatively connected to venturi means through which water llows during pump operation for actuating the air volume control means independently of the intake pressure of the pump.

Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 isa schematic diagram of a water well system embodying the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged view of a Valve element of FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 3 is a section view taken along line 3 3 of FIGURE 2.

With reference to FIGURE 1 of the drawing, a domestic independent water system includes a water storage tank having an outlet conduit 12 leading to various water use outlets, such as faucets (not shown), and having an inlet conduit 14 adjacent its bottom. The in- ICC let conduit 14 is connected to the discharge side 16 of an electrically driven pump 18, the intake side 20 of which is connected to the upper end of a water well conduit 22. Adjacent its upper end, the water well conduit 22 is provided with a check valve 23 which permits water flow only in the direction of the arrow, i.e., from the water well.

The tank 10 is shown iilled with water to a desired level where the tank 10 is provided with a horizontally disposed conduit 24 leading to an air and water housing 26. The housing 26 has opposed end ports 28 and 30 aligned on a horizontal plane dened by the desired water level whereby the port 28 communicates with the interior of the tank 10 by means of the conduit 24. A 'central portion of the housing 26 is hollowed out to define a valve chamber 32, the lower wall of which has a centrally disposed port 34 that is intermediate the end ports 28 and 30 and transversely disposed thereto. Flow through the central port 34 is controlled by a water level responsive valve in the form of a floating ball 36 restricted to vertical movement in the chamber 32 by any suitable means such as a wire cage 38.

The port 34 of housing 26 is connected to one end of a conduit 40 having a U-shaped longitudinal axis and having its other end leading to a venturi 42. The venturi 42 has a central throat portion 44 with a transversely disposed opening defining a suction port 46 and with op- -positely disposed end openings 48 and 50. The flow opening 48 is connected to the end of conduit 40 and flow opening 50 is connected to one end of a conduit 52 whose other end is connected to the intake side 20 of the pump 18.

As is illustrated in FIGURE 1 of the drawing, the conduit 24, housing end ports 28 and 30, and the venturi suction port 46 are aligned along a common longitudinal axis defined by the horizontal plane of the desired water level. An air volume control, indicated generally at 54, is operatively disposed between the housing 26 and venturi 42 for communication with the housing end port 30 and venturi suction port 46. The air volume control includes a hollow casing the interior of which is separated into two variable volume chambers 56 and 58 by means of a flexible diaphragm 60 sealingly clamped at its peripherybetween adjacent casing anges. The diaphragm 60 has a central disc portion 62 of sufficient thickness as to be substantially inflexible and a flexible frustro-conical portion 64 which permits the disc portion 62 to move from one end wall of the casing to the other. The diaphragm 60 is biased to the position illustrated by a light helical coil spring 66 which is disposed in the suction chamber 58 and is mounted in compression between the disc portion 62 and the casing end wall. One casing end wall is provided with a bored tting 68 connected to the venturi 42 to establish communication between the suction chamber 58 and the venturi suction port 46. The other casing end wall has a bored fitting 70 connected to the housing 26 to establish communication between the air chamber 56 and the housing port 30.

Adjacent the itting 70, the casing end wall has a cylindrical recess which is closed by a cup-shaped retainer 72 having an aperture 74 in the center of its bottom wall to establish communication with the air chamber 56. The interior of retainer 72 deiines a valve chamber for axial movement of a pressure responsive valve element 76. As is illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the valve element 76 is made of resilient material in the shape of a disc having an annularl sealing lip 78 on one face adapted to seat on the bottom wall of retainer 72 so as to surround the port 74. The annular lip 78 is provided with a plurality of small slots 80 spaced about its periphery, which permits air to pass around valve 76 but prevents water from such passing. The air flows freely through the slots 80 and port 74 without appreciably deflecting or distorting the valve 76. However, because of its density water causes a pressure drop across the valve 76 which is distorted suciently to close slots 80 and to seat against the retainer 72 and thus close the port 74. The other face of valve disc 76 is integrally formed with a valve stem 82 that carries an enlarged stabilizing portion 84 in the shape of a disc, the edge of which cooperates with the cylindrical wall portion of retainer 72 to assure Valve movement along its longitudinal axis. The enlarged disc 84 includes a plurality of spaced peripheral notches S6 to permit the free passage of both air and water.

Spaced from the bored tting 70, the casing end wall is provided with an atmospheric port 83 leading to a cylindrical recess having a cup-shaped retainer 90 which includes a bottom wall aperture 92 establishing communication with the air chamber 56 and which houses a pressure responsive valve element 94. The retainer 90 and valve element 94 are substantially the same in construction as previously described retainer 72 and valve element 76; however, valve element 94 does not have any slots on its sealing lip and is oppositely disposed in the retainer 72 to seat against the recess end wall whereby the sealing lip completely seals the atmospheric port 88. The valve element 94 permits air to ow from the atmosphere to the air chamber 56 and acts as a check valve to prevent an air ow from the air chamber 56 to the atmosphere.

In the following description of the sequence of operation, it is assumed that the electrically driven pump 18 is energized upon closure of any suitable switch means (not shown) for example, pressure operated switch means responsive to a pre-determined condition in the storage tank 10. Assuming now that the pressure of the air in the tank 10 has dropped to a predetermined value, the pump 18 will pump water from the water well conduit 22 to the tank 10. The flow control ball Valve 36 will be raised off its seat so that water will flow from housing 26 through port 34, conduit 40, venturi 42, and conduit 52 to the intake conduit 20 of the pump 18. Suction caused by the water flow through the venturi 42 estab- Vlishes a vacuum in the suction chamber 58 whereby the diaphragm 60 is moved from its position in FIGURE 1 to an actuated position wherein the coil spring 66 is compressed and the diaphragm disc 62 abuts the casing end wall adjacent the tting 68. The valve element 76 is closed by water from housing 26 so that water is prevented from entering into the air chamber 56. When the valve element 76 closes the port 74, a pressure dilerential is created across the second valve element 94 to displace it from its seat and open the atmospheric port 88; atmospheric air flows through the port 83, around the valve element 94 and through the retainer port 92 into the air chamber 56 in its enlarged capacity.

As soon as the water level in tank 10 reaches a predetermined high level, the pump 18 is deenergized and the vacuum in suction chamber 58 is relieved permitting the spring 66 to return the diaphragm 60 to its original position as shown in FIGURE 1. The return of diaphragm 60 decreases the volume of chamber 56 and increases the pressure of the air therein. The higher pressure in air chamber 56 causes the valve element 94 to seal the atmospheric port 88 and causes the valve element 76 to open the port 74. Accordingly, the higher pressure air is ejected from the air chamber 56 through the port 74, around the valve element 76, through the bored fitting 70 and the housing 26 into the tank 10, thus increasing the volume of air above the water level therein.

The above operation of injecting air into the tank 10 is repeated each time the pump is started and stopped as long as the water level is above the level of the conduit 24. When the water level is below the conduit 24,

the ball valve 36 closes the port 34 so that water does not ow through the venturi 42; however, pump operation will cause a suction in suction chamber 58 and the diaphragm 60 will be transferred to its position against the casing end wall adjacent the bored tting 68. Since there is no water in the housing 26 at this time, the slots in the valve element 76 permit air to ow through the port 74 whereby the air chamber 56 is filled with air from the tank 10 rather than with atmospheric air through the port 88. The air withdrawn from the tank 10 is returned thereto when the pump is stopped and the diaphragm 60 returned to its original position in FIG- URE 1, as described above. It should be noted that the second valve element 94 has a larger etective area subject to air chamber pressure than its efective area subject to atmospheric pressure so that the larger force on the air chamber side keeps the valve element 94 closed against the port 8S.

With the above arrangement, it is now possible to effect actuation of an air Volume control in a pumped water well system and at the same time isolate such actuation from the pressure condition existing at the intake side of the pump. Accordingly, there is no need to operate the pump at an intake pressure below atmospheric but with the present invention the pressure on the intake side of the pump may be either above or below atmospheric.

Inasmuch as the disclosed embodiment of the present invention is subject to many modiications and various changes in detail, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown on the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In a water storage system, the combination including an air pressurized water storage tank, pump means adapted to supply water to said tank, and means for maintaining a predetermined volume of air in said tank comprising an air and water housing communicating with said tank at a predetermined water level, said housing being filled with air when water in said tank is below such level and being illed with water when water in said tank is above such level, water conduit means extending between said housing and said pump means for returning water from said housing to said pump when said tank is pumped with water to a capacity above the predetermined water level, a venturi housing disposed in said water conduit means, said venturi housing having a restricted throat portion and a suction port transversely disposed to a longitudinal axis defined by said venturi housing, an air volume control having an air chamber, a suction chamber and a movable diaphragm therebetween, means establishing communication between said suction port and said suction chamber whereby said diaphragm is moved to an actuated position in response to suction created by water flow through said restricted throat portion, atmospheric valve means including a check valve element permitting a ow of air into said air chamber when said diaphragm is moved to its actuated position, and pressure responsive valve means operatively disposed between said air and water housing and said air chamber preventing a flow of water into said air chamber but permitting a flow of air from said air chamber to said air and water housing when said diaphragm is released from its actuated position.

2. The combination as recited in claim 1 wherein said air and water housing includes a float ball valve element controlling the flow of water to said water conduit means.

3. In a water storage system, the combination including an air pressurized water storage tank, pump means adapted to supply water to said tank and means for maintaining a predetermined volume of air in said tank comprising an air volume control having an air chamber, a suction chamber and movable wall therebetween, said movable wall moving in one direction in a response to suction applied to said suction chamber and moving in the opposite direction when suction applied to said suction chamber is removed, atmospheric valve means including a check valve element permitting ilow of air into said air chamber in response to movement of said movable wall in said one direction, means including a check valve element establishing communication between said air chamber and the air in said tank whereby air is forced into said tank from said air chamber upon movement of said movable wall in said opposite direction, water conduit means extending between said tank at a predetermined water level and said pump means for returning water from said tank to said pump means, said water conduit means including a venturi having an outlet and inlet through which returning water ows with said outlet communicating with the intake side of said pump means and said venturi having a suction port communicating with said suction chamber whereby said suction chamber has a suction applied to it by water ow through said venturi.

4. In a water storage system, the combination including an air pressurized water storage tank, pump means adapted to supply water to said tank and means for maintaining a predetermined volume of air in said tank comprising an air volume control having an air chamber, a suction chamber and a movable wall therebetween, said movable wall moving in one direction in response to suction applied to said suction chamber and moving in the opposite direction when suction applied to said suction chamber is removed, atmospheric Valve means including a check valve element permitting flow of air into said air chamber in response to movement of said movable wall in said one direction, air and water conduit means having one end connected to said tank at a desired water level, means including a check valve element establishing communications between said air chamber and the other end of said air and water conduit means whereby air is forced into said tank from said air chamber upon movement of said movable wall in said opposite direction, said air and water conduit means having a water outlet intermediate said one end and said other end, Water pipe means extending between said water outlet and said pump means for returning water from said water outlet to said pump means, said water pipe means including a venturi having an outlet and inlet through which returning water flows with said outlet communicating with said intake side of said pump means and said venturi having a suction port communicating with said suction chamber whereby said suction chamber has a suction applied to it by water flow through said venturi.

5. The combination as recited in claim 4 wherein the said air and water conduit means includes a water level responsive control valve at said water outlet controlling water flow from said water outlet to said water pipe means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,621,597 12/62 Armstrong et al 103-6 3,088,412 5/63 Good 103--6 LAURENCE V. EFNER, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A WATER STORAGE SYSTEM, THE COMBINATION INCLUDING AN AIR PRESSURIZED WATER STORAGE TANK, AND MEANS FOR ADAPTED TO SUPPLY WATER TO SAID TANK, AND MEANS FOR MAINTAINING A PREDETERMINED VOLUME OF AIR IN SAID TANK COMPRISING AN AIR AND WATER HOUSING COMMUNICATING WITH SAID TANK AT A PREDETERMINED WATER LEVEL, SAID HOUSING BEING FILLED WITH AIR WHEN WATER IN SAID TANK IS BELOW SUCH LEVEL AND BEING FILLED WITH WATER WHEN WATER IN SAID TANK IS ABOVE SUCH LEVEL, WATER CONDUIT MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID HOUSING AND SAID PUMP MEANS FOR RETURNING WATER FROM SAID HOUSING TO SAID PUMP WHEN SAID TANK IS PUMPED WITH WATER TO A CAPACITY ABOVE THE PREDETERMINED WATER LEVEL, A VENTURI HOUSING DISPOSED IN SAID WATER CONDUIT MEANS, SAID VENTURI HOUSING HAVING A RESTRICTED THROAT PORTION AND A SUCTION PORT TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED TO A LONGITUDINAL AXIS DEFINED BY SAID VENTURI HOUSING, AN AIR VOLUME CONTROL HAVING AN AIR CHAMBER, A SUCTION CHAMBER AND A MOVABLE DIAPHRAGM THEREBETWEEN, MEANS ESTABLISHING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID SUCTION PORT AND SAID SUCTION CHAMBER WHEREBY SAID DIAPHRAGM IS 